Author: Agnieszka

It all started about two years ago when I was accepted to University of Illinois in Chicago and decided to commute. This particular decision made me realize how stressful driving can be.

Every day it takes me about one and a half hours to commute. Sometimes it even exceeds to 2 hours of commute time depending on the traffic and train pattern. That is OVER 3 hours of my day wasted on driving and riding the train. (1 hour driving and 30 minuets riding the train.) I could only imagine how long my commute would be if I drove all the way to downtown Chicago from the Northwest Suburb which I commute from. That is about 30 miles (48.28 km)…and it takes me one hour to drive 15 miles(24.14 km) and once you start getting closer to the heart of the city the traffic only get worse. It is like a living nightmare. What is the point of having 5 lanes plus 2 express lanes when there is STILL traffic on the hwy? I guess the Chicago population has not heard the concept of carpooling or other types of transportation.

How does a traffic jam begin in Chicago or anywhere? Well, let me give you an idea…
1. Slow drivers.
2. Accidents.
3. Construction.
4. Weather.
5. Multitasking drivers.

1. It takes only ONE car to start a traffic jam. ONE. If one person drivers slow others will follow…that is how hwy wolf packs start at which point faster drivers like me get stuck behind. PEOPLE pay ATTENTION – if there is no one in front of you drive a bit faster …if you are not willing to take the risk move out the way for those who are taking that risk.

2. Chicago accidents. I once was stuck in traffic for 2 hours due to a little car crash on the side of the hwy. Why? It seems to me that the curiosity of individuals (not only Chicagoans) causes them to stare at the car accident to see if they could visually see what happened and thus slowing down to half the limit. It seems to me like a form of disturbing hwy entertainment for some drivers. A little advice…JUST DRIVE.

3. Yes, Chicago construction. One main reason for Chicago traffic jams. Why? Well lets see…there are four lanes on the hwy and the construction company decides to close off 3 of those lanes and keep one open. If you are ever driving in Chicago and there is a construction sign up ahead I advise you to get off the hwy and take the streets unless you have about 2-3 hours of time on your hands J Merging into one lane from 4 lanes…with ignorant drivers all around trying to get somewhere will only stress you out and make you want to rip your hair out. Trust me…I know.

4. Ever notice that when is snows or rains people tend to drive slow? I have. A little bit of precipitation makes some drivers freak out and slow down to BELOW the speed limit. Why? I ask myself the same question…if a driver doesn’t know how to handle weather changes at any time – don’t drive or at least move out of the way. Chicago weather can turn on you in a matter of an hour. Be prepared for sunny morning, rainy afternoon and snowy evening. You never know.

5. The famous multitasking drivers. I see them EVERY DAY. Drinking a beverage talking on the cell phone, texting, eating, reading the newspaper, putting on makeup, and I’ve even seen someone doing a crossword puzzle. Amazing, isn’t it? In Chicago…one in 20 of the 675 respondents tested said they had been involved in an accident or near miss while being distracted by a task other then driving. Multitasking = possible accident = traffic jam. When driving, pay attention to the road so that you as a driver don’t endanger yourself and others.

People of the Okanagan Valley consider yourself LUCKY that you are no where close to huge traffic jams like I have experienced in Chicago. These traffic jams have consistently added a huge amount of road rage, stress and the hate developed towards driving. I never look forward to it. I have visited the Okanagan area and it amazes me to this day how calm the drivers are and how there are rarely any traffic jams. Yes, there is the odd number of bad drivers but they are everywhere – however, not nearly as much as there is in Chicago.

I would give anything to have the view, fresh air and open highways which the Okanagan Valley provides. Enjoy the drive because trust me the road conditions that you have are heavenly compared to this hell hole.